Providence Academy Honored As Top 50 Nationwide for the Fifth Year

(November 25^th, 2008) – Recently the National Catholic High School Honor Roll named Providence Academy to its list of the Nation’s Top 50 Catholic High Schools for the fifth year running.  The Honor Roll award was established in 2004 to assess Catholic secondary schools in the categories of academic excellence, Catholic identity and civic education.

The Honor Roll offers the option to apply for the Top 50 Award to over 1,300 Catholic high schools nationwide.  Providence Academy is among a select group of only eight schools in the country to be honored with this award for the last five consecutive years.  Schools on the Honor Roll display an active Catholic culture, provide excellent college preparation and integrate faith throughout their curriculum.  Locally, Providence is the only Catholic high school to earn the award.

Students and staff appreciate several factors that distinguish Providence Academy.  “The students here are great!  We get along as friends, and the spirit amongst the group makes being here really awesome,” said Emma Steadman, a Providence sophomore.  Academics are important, but students also engage in sports, fine arts, extra-curriculars and a senior run cohort system.  All of these activities help 9^th-12^th grade students build friendships and school spirit across grade levels.  “It’s a fun atmosphere,” said Steadman.

“I am continually impressed with the excellence these students strive for in their studies, the interest they have for the issues of today and the civic responsibility with which they act.  It’s wonderful to see these qualities in students of such a young age,” said Paula Miller, interim Guidance Counselor.  Awareness of the community, especially for those in need, is ever present on campus.  “Providence Students genuinely want to help,” said Miller.

Ryan Millis, a sophomore said he likes the Providence uniform.  “It’s really nice to be able to have people look at me and see me for who I am as a person, and not for the clothing I might be wearing.  I matter as a person, and the focus is on me, not my clothes.”  Junior Grace Carney added, “It really makes you look past what someone has on the outside.”

Sarah Keener, a junior, said, “The campus ministry department and even our teachers are always there for us when we have questions about faith.  They always make us feel welcome.”

The Academy provides its Upper School students challenging academics and excellent college preparation.  Providence graduates have gone on to attend some of the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities.  “Graduates attend schools like Boston College, Notre Dame, West Point, NYU and Cornell.  Some stay closer to home and are enjoying St. Thomas, St. Olaf, St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict,” Said College Counselor Sarah Hogan.  When asked what Providence students bring to the college process Hogan said, “The academic excellence and the strength of character that the students display makes them stand out in their college admissions process.  Students who are willing to work hard and follow their passions coupled with Providence Academy’s rigorous curriculum and quality faculty provide a foundation that colleges look for in determining admission.”

“The combination of Providence Academy’s challenging academic programs, its student’s performance on standardized tests and its college placement record are all reasons Providence has been honored with the Top 50 award for the past five years,” said Dr. Todd Flanders, Headmaster.

Providence parent Cindy Schmidt added her thoughts about the education and community, “As a parent I feel lucky that we have the opportunity to have our children here.  Providence provides thorough academics and a wonderful faith life.  Our family benefits in countless ways from all that Providence has to offer.”

Providence Academy Headmaster Dr. Todd Flanders is pictured with the honorary plaque recognizing the school for the fifth year in a row as one of the nation’s top 50 Catholic High Schools.

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